Client Access License Messages Received During Upgrade from Windows 2000 Server (324295)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Small Business Server 2000
This article was previously published under Q324295

SYMPTOMS

If you try to upgrade a Microsoft Windows 2000 Server-based computer to Small Business Server (SBS) 2000, you may receive one of the following alert messages in the Suite Requirements dialog box at the beginning of the Setup process:
  • Critical alert message:
    Client Access License setting must be set to 5.
    After you receive this message, you cannot continue with Setup.

  • Informational alert message:
    Licensing mode will be converted to Small Business Server licensing.
    Because this is an informational message, you can still continue with Setup.

CAUSE

The critical alert message occurs because the Windows 2000 Server computer that is being upgraded has more than five client access licenses. Because SBS always installs initially with five client access licenses, the installation process requires that the server be set to a maximum of five client access licenses before the SBS 2000 installation can proceed.

The informational alert message occurs because, if the current licensing mode is Per Seat instead of Per Server, the SBS installation program requires the Per Server licensing mode to install the SBS licensing.

RESOLUTION

This section describes the resolution for the respective alert messages.

Critical Alert Message:

Change the Client Access License setting to 5, and then restart SBS 2000 Setup from CD1.

To change the Client Access License setting on the Windows 2000 Server computer, follow these steps:
  1. Open Control Panel, and then double-click Licensing.
  2. Select Windows Server in the Product list.
  3. Click Remove Licenses.
  4. Remove the necessary number of licenses from the server so that the number of concurrent connections shown is equal to 5, and then click Remove.
  5. Accept the warning.
  6. After the removal has been accepted, press CANCEL to return to the previous window.
Informational Alert Message:

You do not have to do anything to resolve the issue that causes this message. Setup automatically converts the licensing on the Windows 2000 Server computer from Per Seat to SBS licensing mode and installs with five client access licenses.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

You can upgrade Windows 2000 Server directly to SBS 2000. However, when you install SBS on a full packaged product version of Windows 2000 Server, you introduce the licensing model of the SBS product to the existing Windows 2000 Server installation.

SBS is installed with five client access licenses. After you install SBS, you can add extra SBS client access licenses from the To Do list. SBS supports a maximum of 50 client access licenses.

For additional information about other issues and resources related to SBS licensing, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

306745 Error Message: Cannot Install Licenses on an Evaluation Copy of Small Business Server

297939 Licensing Restrictions of NFR and Action Pack Media for SBS 2000

295765 Description of the Product Limitations in Small Business Server 2000

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/19/2002
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb kbsetup KB324295
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.